Barbourville Utilities introduces Blink fiber service

Fiber optic Internet with gigabit speeds, beginning Sept. 5

Installation of a new fiber optic cable network begins September 5, 2017 in Barbourville, bringing Internet download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second to more than 4,000 Barbourville Utilities home and business customers.

The new service, named Blink — Barbourville’s gigabit link — is one of the first gigabit Internet services to be introduced in Kentucky. The 1 Gbps download speed — or 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps) — is more than 1,000 times faster than the current, standard Barbourville Utilities Internet service.

“We are extremely pleased to bring revolutionary Internet technology to our community,” Barbourville Utilities General Manager Josh Callihan said. “Increasing broadband access is a top priority in southeastern Kentucky and we are proud that our community will be a pioneer for this growth.”

“With Blink, our Internet service is now at the forefront of broadband connectivity,” said Barbourville Utilities Telecommunications Director Jason Valentine. “I’m excited that we can now offer our customers gigabit speeds. This is the future-proof upgrade that our community deserves.”

“In working with more than 100 service providers on gigabit service delivery, we have seen the positive impact that gigabit broadband can have in a community, from economic development opportunities to downtown revitalization efforts and more,” said Skip Hirvela, Calix vice president of regional sales. “The Barbourville community has a long and proud history of innovation – and a gigabit-capable network will act as a powerful platform that fosters this spirit. As Barbourville Utilities embarks on their gigabit journey, we at Calix are excited to be their technology partner as they forever change the way of life for the residents and businesses in their community.”

Trucks arrived in Barbourville last week carrying more than 90 miles of fiber optic cable that will be installed in four phases during the next nine months. In addition to hanging fiber, Barbourville Utilities representatives will go door-to-door during each phase to upgrade existing equipment at each customer’s home or business. The equipment upgrade is provided at no cost to customers.

The city of Barbourville is no stranger to pioneering development and technology. In 1750, our city was home to the first settler’s house in the state. In the 1950s, Barbourville was the first city in the United States to introduce cable television. And in the 1990s, Barbourville established one of the first Internet cable modem systems in the country, and earned the distinction of “One of the 6 Best Wired Towns in the U.S.” from Yahoo.

For more information about Blink or to find out how you can sign up for service, visit us at Barbourville.com, check out our Facebook page, or call Barbourville Utilities at (606) 546-3187.